51

To commemorate your fifty one years of age,
A poem I lay upon this page.

A year since last a celebration held,
It was of no grand occasion
Just friends and bikes and beer for all
Gathered in Australia nation.

The days were long, for it was spring,
(and what beautiful days they were)
So your daughter you thought so nice to bring
(quite generous gift to her)

Above the pacific sea you flew for hours
Alone with your planning of races
While she enjoyed Sydney’s spring showers
And dreamed of seeing new places

You rode like the wind (if it possessed wheels)
And fought the champions title
Challenged the competition, never kicked up your heals
For success was extremely vital

Hard work produced a medal and cheers
A new jersey and a nice koala
So we settled in for birthday beers
Too bad nothing rhymes with koala

You biked that day and the days before
Worked too hard and got kind of sore
You donned tight pants and a silly little hat
We all know you enjoy walking around like that

On that day it was fifty years
Since you joined this messy place
Fifty years of sweat and tears
Created a champion in that race

It was a birthday to remember, yes
But from last years story I digress…
For this year you are fifty ONE
And when you hear that starting gun
Think of family, think of Joe
Think of a squeaky “go-daddy-go”
And while you are so far away
Remember these wise words I say
You should hold every single birthday dear
Whether north or southern hemisphere.

Aubrey Leigh Nolan, our 23 year old daughter.
I love you girl!
Oh man am I ready for worlds...